QuarterMileMaster

I found a 1998 Cobra in Atlantic Blue color w/ Black interior. The car has only 50,000 miles and the body/interior is in immaculate shape. It is sweet. THE PROBLEM.... is that the car has an extremely loud consistent Tapping noise coming from the bottom end of the engine when it's running. The car idles fine, but the noise is LOUD. The guy is willing to take $6000 for the car and I'm wondering what you guys think this noise might be. I'd appreciate opinions on the following:

-What the heck could this noise be????

-What do you think could have caused this problem on such a low mile car?

-What do you think it'll take to fix it?? Crankshaft??

-What do you estimate for cost (parts only)??

-Is it worth it?? (Yeah... I know it is, but I'm just double checking)

Thanks, here's a picture:
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1...98Cobra031.jpg

GreyStang

Could be just a collapsed lifter or something else wrong in the valvetrain. Do a compression check on each cylinder to see what cylinder(s) is having the problem.

If you have to hire a garage to pull the motor to fix a bigger problem then that's gonna cost you.. which might eat up whatever "savings" you think your getting on the car

562cobra

so true

whiterabit998

does it go up with the rpms? any codes come up? maybe the block is warped. idk

corvetteguy

All it takes is to run the motor
for a few minutes without oil.
garages have been known to do this
in order to cause you an engine rebuild.
You can accomplish the same thing by
racing the enjgine with very low OP.

If the crank is toast you need a complete
engine rebuild to ever feel safe. Look
up the cost of a cobra crate engine plus
a few thousand in labor and you will
be glad you got such a bargan.

mdcobra98

I have a 98 cobra in atlantic blue w/ 18,000 org miles. I have the same tapping noise your talking about. I still dont knwo wut it is, but my car still runs great. How does the car run? And are you sure its the bottom of the engine? I think mine is coming from the tranny. And do you have any noise inside the car from the tranny?

QuarterMileMaster

The noise really seems to be coming from the lower part of the engine. I only heard it while I was looking at the car while considering buying it. I've decided to go for it, and gave the guy a deposit. I get the car on Saturday. I know the car had been sitting for a little while, cause the previous owner had been military on deployment. I'm pretty sure something went bad cause of low oil after sitting. I'm thinking rod bearing.